What's Next For Elijah Dukes?

Clearly, Elijah Dukes has ability.  But his off-the-field issues have long made him a liability.  This spring, Dukes played well enough that many observers felt he would be one of the Nationals' starting outfielders.  They abruptly released him last week.

 BaseballDigest.com's Charles Sollars wonders if the defending NL Central champion St. Louis Cardinals should take a flier on the troubled slugger.

Why David Wright Is My Favorite Baseball Player

Part of the reason is that I've covered his career since he got drafted.  Another big plus is that he hasn't changed one iota since A-Ball.  Another is the story told to me by the owner of a popular sports bar that Wright has hung out in from time to time:

One day, David shows up at the front door before we were really opened, and my dad -- who knows nothing about baseball -- saw him at the front of the place.  


Dad:  "Can I help you, son? 
David "No sir, I'm just looking for (the owner)." 
Dad: "Are you looking for a job, son, I'll get you an application."
David: "No, sir (smiles), I'll just wait until he comes."

So when Wright tells Mike Lupica, the following, it only makes me a bigger fan:

“Mets fans don’t have to tell me what they’re feeling, because I’m one of them… As bad as it was for them, it was worse for me.  And, trust me, I’m the same as them in another way: I don’t ever want us to go through anything like that ever again… The talent is still here, and there are some kids coming along.  We’re coming back."


Too bad the kid can't pitch.


(hat tip to Metsblog for the link)

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